Quinoa Upma

Quinoa is a grain that introduced to me about 4 years ago. One afternoon we walked into a local 'Whole Foods' Store when we were in US and they were doing a food demonstation. The dish being prepared was a curried quinoa. Just fell in love with the grain that instant. Have been buying it and making dishes out of it since. Quinoa upma is our favourite dish made out of Quinoa.

If you have never tried making Quinoa, please do give it a go. You will love it.



Ingredients

Onions 1
Vegetables 3 cups
Quinoa 1.5 cups
Water 3 cups
Cashew 2 tbsp
Peanuts 2 tbsp
Channa Dal 1 tbsp
Urad Dal 1 tsp
Jeera 1 tsp
Turmeric 1/2 tsp
Hing a little
Kitchen King 1 tsp (you can use any masala here - like garam masala, pav bhaji masala, biriyani masala etc)

Oil and salt to taste



Method of Preparation

1. In a pot, boil water (3 cups). When it comes to boil, add the quinoa. Cook for till the water is drained (about 10 min). Let is rest for another 5-10 minutes.

2. In the meanwhile, in heat some oil in a pan. Add the cashews, peanuts, channa dal and urad dal. You can go low on the quantity of nuts and dal. I just love the crunch and my little one loves the cashews.

3. Add in jeera and turmeric. Let it sizzle.

4. Add the onions. Saute till it starts to brown.

5. Add the vegetables. Mine was frozen. I steamed in microwave before adding. If using regular vegetables, cook for a longer time (or microwave that as well before hand).

6. Add hing and kitchen king masala (or whatever you are using). Mix well. Add some salt as well.

7. Add the cooked quinoa and toss well.

Enjoy super healthy upma.